The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has suspended a former deputy governor of the state, Werinipre Seibarugu and six others for alleged anti-party activities.
Seibarugu, who was the deputy to a former governor and immediate past Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, was also an acting governor and speaker of the State House of Assembly.
Also suspended were Osomkime Blankson, Alex Blankson, Chief Olomo Agbama Apina, Dr. Pakinson Mamanuel, Ebiye Waripamo and Pastor Esther Saiyou all members of Yenagoa LGA chapter of the party.
Blankson was accused of anti-party activity for challenging the outcome of the party congresses in 2022 and has a subsisting judgement which declared the congresses as void.
Chairman of the Yenagoa LG Chapter, Tonye Okokuro, who announced their suspensions said their suspension followed the report of its fact-finding and disciplinary committee and there was a need to rebuild the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
“It is on record that the parallel APC Secretariat situated at the Isaac Boro Expressway, Biogbolo is being managed by Blankson.
“It is also on record that all the aforementioned members have been involved in anti-party activities since the Senatorial bye-election in 2020 when they conspired with the People’s Democratic Party candidate and worked against our party’s candidate.
“During the 2023 National Assembly elections, they and their supporters openly worked against our National Assembly candidates.
“In the 2023 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State, they openly worked for Gov. Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party and enjoyed the patronage of the PDP government of Bayelsa State.
“As 2027 approaches, we are making efforts to rebuild the party and build confidence in party grassroots members in the state.”
“Based on the recommendations of the Fact-Finding and Disciplinary Committees, we hereby suspend them indefinitely from the party.”
NewsNGR reports that the party had suspended Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and the 2019 governorship candidate, Chief David Lyon, and eight others over the weekend.